Bringing back an old post. I had the opportunity to play my first round at Lederach yesterday. I'll start with the two main criticisms, which have nothing to do with the architectural merits of the course:
1) The housing around the course really detracts from the experience. I can't remember a single hole in which cookie cutter houses didn't back up to within 15-20 yards of tees, fairways, and/or greens. The character of the holes would have been greatly improved were they framed by trees or nothing at all.
2) The course is having a tough time growing in. The rough was spotty at best, fairways were either spongy with water or browned out on severe slopes.
Now, onto the course itself. I thoroughly enjoyed the layout. The design is one of few that I've played recently which made me think my way around every hole. My apologies for not having pictures, and not being able to recount specific features of individual holes. The yardage guide that I picked up prior to the round was well worth the $1 it cost. To my recollection, there are at least 3-4 blind tee shots. There are also many bunkers which are well hidden. Combined with very few holes which are plainly laid out in front of you, local knowledge certainly comes in handy.
Kelly did a great job of maintaining variety by mixing the distances of par 3 (I hit a PW, two 6-irons, and a 3-iron), 4, and 5s, using the rolling terrain and significant elevation changes, and providing different routes to many of the holes. Variety also comes through when discussing the greens. The greens at Lederach are amongst the most undulated that I've played. I guess I need experience playing the greens as I didn't make a single putt outside of 5 feet. I put plenty of them close, but never got anything to drop. In fact, my memory tells me that I hit 13 GIR, and only had one birdie (I guess that is what I get when this was only my third round of the year).
Overall, I enjoyed the course. It reminded me a bit of Heron Glen in Hunterdon County in NJ, although it isn't tricked up like as Heron Glen is.